Dental system and apparatus for use therein



Sept. 10. 1968 R. v. TURNER 3,400,412

DENTAL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR USE THEREIN Filed Dec. 3, 1965 U INVENTOR.

+ Rose-2r V. Tue/v52 United States Patent 3,400,412 DENTAL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR USE THEREIN Robert V. Turner, Torrance, Calif. (187 B Mayhew Way, Walnut Creek, Calif. 94598) Filed Dec. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 511,544 Claims. (Cl. 4-263) The present invention relates generally to dental systems and apparatus for use therein, and more particularly to means for assisting a dental patient in quickly and elficiently disposing of saliva and other dental debris within the patients mouth.

Within recent years, advances have been made in the construction and operation of dental equipment. The advent of high speed turbines and other instruments for making the dentists tasks more effective and more comfortable for the patient, has stimulated the redesign of the old outmoded dental equipment.

Heretofore, the typical dental equipment found in most dentists ofiices comprised a cuspidor having running water and wherein the patient deposited any saliva or dental debris. Such cuspidor was usually stationary and required the patient to stretch a considerable distance to keep from dirtying the cuspidor and the surrounding area.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cuspidor system which is relatively obscure when not in use, and, which can be easily placed before the patients mouth with relatively little effort.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cuspidor system as characterized above having both a vacuum system and a Water spray.

A further object of the present invention is to provide in a cuspidor system as characterized above automatic control means wherey the entire system is inoperative when the cuspidor unit is in retracted position, but which is automatically activated upon movement of the cuspidor to a position adjacent the patients mouth.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for use in a cuspidor system as characterized above a fluid pressure control valve which is normally held in flow preventing position, and is actuated to flow permitting position merely by the removal of a predetermined object.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a flow control member as characterized above having an O-ring attached to a stem which is moved to flow permitting position by the application of air pressure to the control device itself, movement of such stem against such air pressure causing the O-ring to assume a flow preventing position in the valve device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, for use in a cuspidor system as characterized above, a flow control member having a fluid pressure operated control element, whereby the application of fluid pressure thereto causes such element to be moved out of interference with the juncture of two fluid lines.

Another further object of the present invention is to provide a pressure operated flow control device as characterized above which is provided with an annular pressure responsive flange about the flow control element, whereby the forces applied thereto are substantially balanced thereabout.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cuspidor system and apparatus for use therein as characterized above which are simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which are rugged and dependable in operation.

The novel features which I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The device itself, however, both as to its organization and mode of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portron of a dental unit;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the dental unit of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the cuspidor and associated components;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through a pressure operated flow control device for use in the dental unit;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 6 is a schematic showing of the pressure, vacuum and water lines in the subject dental unit.

Like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring'to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown therein a portion of a dental unit comprising a cabinet or enclosure 10. Such enclosure is provided with a top end wall 12 through which sutiable instruments and control devices such as cuspidor unit 14 and switch 16 prortude.

Such cabinet 10 may be positioned adjacent a dental chair by being attached thereto, or to the floor or wall to thereby provide the cuspidor unti 14 at a convenient hfiight for easy access by the patient sitting in the dental c arr.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the upper end wall 12 of enclosure 10 is provided with a suitable through opening for receiving a bezel 18. The cuspidor unit 14 is positioned within the bezel 18 and, within the enclosure 10, is fastened to a flexible conduit 20 formed in two sections to provide both vacuum and water to a cuspidor.

Referring to FIGURE 3 of the drawings, the cuspidor unit 14 comprises a generally funnel shaped cuspidor 22 having an inwardly turned annular edge 22a. Such cuspidor 22 is connected to a base 24, the latter of which is removably attached to a connector 26 by suitable quick disconnect means 28. A housing or case 30 is provided about the cuspidor unit 14 to provide a handle for easy gripping by a. patient or doctor. The upper end of flexible conduit 20 has the vacuum portion 20a attached to the mounting member 26 while the water spray portion 20b is connected to a tube 32 which extends up into the conically shaped cuspidor 22.

Referring to FIGURE 2 of the drawings, it is seen that the flexible conduit 20 extends about a pulley 34 which is part of a slide mechanism 36. As the cuspidor unit 14 is removed from the bezel 18, the flexible line 20 is pulled from the enclosure 10, the pulley 34 thereby sliding upwardly along the slide mechanism 36 against the force of a spring near the bottom of the enclosure 10. Slide mechanism 36 comprises a generally U-shaped bracket 38 having a lower portion 38a which normally rests upon flow control device 40 when the cuspidor 22 is in its retracted position.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 5 of the drawings, flow control device 40 comprises a body 42 formed with a through valve port 42a and an outlet port 42b. Positioned within port 42a is a valve stem 44 which is formed with an annular groove for receiving an O-ring 46 formed of neoprene or other plastic or rubber material having sufficient elasticity as will hereinafter appear.

The upper end 44a of stem 44 is engaged by the lower portion 38a of bracket 38. The lower most end 44b of stem 44 is formed with a head which operates to limit upward movement of the stem. As shown at 440, such head is formed with a slot for permitting fluid pressure to pass beyond the stem 44 to outlet port 42b under certain conditions which will hereinafter be explained.

An inlet fitting 48 and an outlet fitting 50 are provided to permit flow control device to be connected to suitable conduits as will hereinafter be explained.

Referring again to FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the outlet fitting of flow control device 40 is connected to a conduit 52, although such arrangement is not shown therein. That is, as will hereinafter be explained with reference to FIGURE 6 of the drawings, in actuality, the outlet fitting 50 of flow control device 40 is connected to conduit 52, but to avoid confusion in FIGURE 2 which may have resulted in trying to show all of the various components, portions of such conduits have been omitted.

Conduit 52 is connected to a T-connector 54 which carries a conduit 56 associated with a pressure operated flow control device 58.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, the pressure opearted flow control device 58 is formed with a body 60 having an inlet 60a and an outlet 6012. A control chamber 60c is also provided therein. A compression spring 62 is provided in the control chamber 60c, the upper end of such spring being positioned adjacent a fixed transverse pin 64. The lower end of spring 62 is positioned within a cup-shaped control element 66. Such element is generally annular in construction, having an extended central portion for receiving the lower end of spring 62. An annular flange 66a is provided on the element 66, and an annular spacer 68 is provided between such flange and the body 60 to permit control pressure to act about the entire flange 66a as will hereinafter become apparent.

A control port 70 and inlet therefor are formed in body 60 for admitting fluid pressure into the control chamber 600. Such pressure acts about the flange 66a of control element 66 to move the same against the force of compression spring 62. The annular flange 66a insures that the control pressure through port 70 will exert a force about the entire control element 66, thereby preventing binding of the latter within the body 60.

As will hereinafter become more apparent, as the control element 66 is moved against the force of compression spring 62, the inlet 60a and outlet 60b are ultimately placed in communication, thereby permitting the fluid being controlled to flow from the inlet to the outlet.

The outlet 60b of pressure operated flow control device 58 is connected to a conduit 72 which leads through a T-connector 74 to an electrically operated vacuum pump (not shown).

Connected to inlet 60a of body 60 is one end of the vacuum portion 20a of flexible conduit 20, the other end being connected to the cuspidor unit 14 as above explained. The intermediate portion of such flexible conduit 20, of course, is wound about the pulley 34 and is also connected to other elements to cause the slide mechanism 36 to operate properly.

The conduit 52 also conducts air under pressure to a pressure operated electric switch 76. Such switch is of standard construction and operates to energize and deeuergize the vacuum pump as will hereinafter be explained.

From the switch 76 the fluid under pressure is conducted through a conduit 78 to a pressure operated water valve 80. This valve merely permits or prevents fluid flow to the water portion 20b of flexible conduit 20. That is, the conduit 20a at the outlet of valve 80 extends toward the vacuum conduit 2012 at the inlet 60a of the pressure oper- 4 ated flow control device 58, as shown at 82 in FIGURE 2, to thereby provide the dual purpose conduit 20.

To further assist in providing water to the cuspidor unit 14, there is provided at the lower right hand portion of enclosure 10, an on-off inlet valve 84 and a pressure regulator 86. From there, the water flows through a conduit 88 which, although shown only fragmentarily in FIGURE 2, is connected to a filter 90. The water is then fed into the water manifold 92, so that it ultimately passes through a valve 94 and a connector 96 to the pressure operated valve 80.

In association with the water manifold 92, there is provided an air manifold 98 as well as a lubricator 100, these components being useful for effecting other control functions for the dental unit.

To enable the dentist to place the equipment in operation, the manually operable switch or control valve 16 is provided in the upper end wall 12 of the enclosure 10. Such switch is a valve associated with a source of air under pressure. By placing such switch in the on position, air is permitted to flow into the entire unit. Conversely, by placing such switch in the off position, such flow of air is prevented. A filter 102 is provided in series with the valve 16. The air then flows through a T-connector 104 to a pressure regulator 106. Although not shown in detail in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the outlet of regulator 106 is connected by a conduit 108 to the inlet 48 of flow control device 40. Such conduit 108 has been shown fragmented in FIGURE 2 to enhance the clarity of this view.

The schematic showing in FIGURE 6 of the drawings will now be referred to in order to explain all of the various functions to be afforded by the subject system. To distinguish the air pressure lines from the vacuum'and water lines in such FIGURE 6, the air pressure lines have been provided with square corners. The water lines and vacuum lines, on the other hand, have been formed therein with round corners.

The manual switch 16 is operable in the air inlet line to control the flow of air under pressure to the filter 102. From here, the air passes through the pressure regulator 106, and then through the conduit 108 to the flow control device 40. As above explained, device 40 is controlled by the position of the bracket 38 of the slide mechanism 36.

When the flow control member 40 is in flow permitting position (when cuspidor unit 14 is being used), the air under pressure is permitted to flow through conduit 52 to a T-connector 54. From here the air under pressure is provided at the flow control device 58 and at the pressure operated electric switch 76.

The flexible conduit 20 is connected to the inlet of flow control device 58 as above explained. A vacuum line 72 leads from the body 60 of flow control device 58 to a T-connector 74 and thence to a vacuum pump (not shown).

The air pressure in conduit or line 52 also goes beyond the flow control device 58 and switch 76 to the pressure operated water valve 80. This valve controls water flow through an on-ofi valve 84, a pressure regulator 86, a filter and a valve 94. The water supplied from filter 90 also affords water to the manifold 92 for use in the various other instruments of the dental unit. The air manifold 98 and lubricator are also shown in FIGURE 6 in relation to the water manifold 92.

The entire system is placed in condition for operation by the dentist, merely by manual operation of valve 16. This affords air under pressure through filter 102, pressure regulator 106 and conduit 108 to the inlet 48 of flow control member 40. Such air under pressure is prevented from flowing further until the cuspidor 14 is removed from the bezel 18. When this occurs, the bracket 38 is removed from the stem 44, thus permitting the air pressure at the inlet 48 of flow control member 40 to move the stem 44 upwardly. This causes O-ring 46 to be moved beyond the outlet polt 42b, so that air is thus permitted to flow under pressure from the inlet of flow control member 40 to the outlet thereof, through the slot or notch 44c in the head 44b of stem 44. v

Such air pressure is then simultaneously applied to valve 58, switch 76 and valve 80. The functions afforded by these components is as follows: opening of valve 58 affords a vacuum or suction in cuspidor unit 14, closure of switch 76 energizes the vacuum pump to assure the continued strong vacuum for the cuspidor, and opening of valve 80 permits water to flow through the circulating pipe 32 in the funnel shaped cuspidor 22. Thus, these three functions are provide when, but only when, the cuspidor 14 is removed by the patient from the bezel 18. Otherwise such functions are not needed and hence are not provided.

When it is desired to render the entire system inoperative, it is merely necessary to actuate valve 16 to its off position. This not only prevents air from being admitted to the system, but also relieves and drains all residual air pressure in the system, thus preventing further functioning of any of the air-operated components. That is, valve 16 is provided with a bleed port which is opened upon actuation of such valve to off position. The air in the system is thus bled ofi" rendering the entire system inoperative.

It is contemplated within the scope of this invention that valve 58 and switch 76 could be eliminated, together with the equipment associated therewith. In place of these components a Venturi assembly could be provided in conduit 52 such that the passage of air through the Venturi would provide the desired vacuum for the cuspidor 14. The vacuum pump would then be unnecessary since the air pressure itself would be used to create the vacuum directly. The conduit from the cuspidor 14 would then be exhausted into a suitable waste line.

It is thus seen that the present invention provides a cuspidor system which is operable to quickly and elfectively remove saliva or dental debris from the patients mouth. However, such operation is not needlessly provided whenever the cuspidor 14 is returned to the bezel 18. Such return of the cuspidor, causes the bracket 38 to be pulled by the compression spring of the slide mechanism 36 to its lowermost position. When this occurs, such bracket engages the upper end 44a of stem 44 thereby moving it downwardly so as to position the O-ring 46 beneath the outlet port 42b as shown in FIGURE 5 of the drawings. When this occurs, the O-ring 46 elfectively prevents fluid flow through the flow control device 40, thereby terminating the above-described functions.

Although I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. My invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cuspidor system for use with other dental apparatus comprising in combination, an enclosure, a cuspidor unit having a retracted position on said enclosure and being movable therefrom to an operating position, a vacuum conduit and a water conduit connected to said cuspidor unit, an electrically energizable vacuum pump connected to said vacuum conduit to afford a vacuum to said cuspidor unit, a first fluid pressure operated valve interposed between said pump and said cuspidor unit to control the application of vacuum to said cuspidor unit, a fluid pressure operated switch associated with said pump to effect energization thereof in response to predetermined pressure, a source of water under pressure con nected to said Water conduit and comprising a second fluid pressure operated valve to control the flow of water to said unit in response to predetermined pressure, and means responsive to the position of said cuspidor unit to simultaneously permit fluid flow to both of said valves and to said switch when, but only when, said cuspidor unit is in its operating position.

2. A cuspidor system for use with other dental apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said position responsive means comprises a valve device having a pair of angularly disposed intersecting ports and a valve stem having an O-ring positioned thereon for movement therewith in one of said ports between flow permitting and flow preventing positions relative to the intersection of said ports.

3. A cuspidor system for use with other dental apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said valve device comprises a body having one of said ports formed therethrough and constituting an inlet, the other of said ports being formed therein to intersect said inlet and constituting an outlet, said stem being movable within said inlet from a flow preventing position of said O-ring upstream of said intersection to a flow permitting position of said O-ring removed from interference with both said inlet and outlet.

4. A cuspidor system for use with other dental apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the outlet of said valve device is connected to each of said pressure operated devices but upstream thereof to simultaneously control the application of fluid pressure thereto.

5. A pressure operated flow control device for use in affording vacuum to predetermined dental instruments comprising in combination, a housing formed with an inlet, an outlet and a control chamber affording communication therebetween, a control element biased to flow preventing position interrupting communication between said inlet and outlet and movable against said bias to flow permitting position, said element being formed with an annular pressure responsive flange, and means including a control pressure port formed in said housing communicating with said control chamber to provide pressure to said flange to move said element from flow preventing to flow permitting position.

6. A pressure operated flow control device for use in affording vacuum to predetermined dental instruments according to claim 5,wherein said flange on said control element is provided with annular spacing means to insure even distribution of fluid pressure about said flange to prevent said element from binding within said control chamber.

7. A pressure operated flow control device for use in affording vacuum to predetermined dental instruments according to claim 6-, wherein said annular spacer is formed with a semi-circular cross section providing a pressure chamber of substantially constant cross section about said flange when said element is in flow preventing position, whereby initial application of fluid pressure to said flange is evenly distributed thereabout for moving said element to flow permitting position.

8. A self-opening fluid pressure control device for use in dental apparatus comprising in combination, a valve body formed with a through opening one end of which constitutes an inlet, said body also being formed with a port intersecting said through opening intermediate its opposite ends and constituting an outlet, a valve stem rectilinearly movable within said through opening having an enlarged end portion at said inlet, an O-ring on said valve stem to be moved therewith in sealing engagement with the side wall of said through opening from flow preventing position on one side of said intersection to flow permitting position on the other side thereof, whereby fluid pressure at said inlet is operable to move said stem from flow preventing to flow permitting position.

9. A self-opening fluid pressure control device for use in dental apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said stem is of such length compared to the position thereon of said O-ring as to extend beyond said body when said O-ring is in flow permitting position, whereby said stem and O-ring can be mechanically returned to flow preventing position.

7 8 10. A self-opening fluid pressure control device for References Cited use in dental apparatus according to claim 9, wherein UNITED STATES PATENTS said through opening is formed with a portion of reduced cross section to be engaged by the enlarged end portion 2,360,816 10/1944 Pasco 25l62 X of said stem to limit the movement of said stem when 5 3,229,368 1/1966 Tocchini 3222 said O-ring is in How permitting position, said enlarged 3,295,148 l/l967 Deeley et a1 4263 end portion of said stem being formed With an opening 3,317,181 5/1967 Robbins 2S162 permitting fluid to flow from said inlet to said outlet of said valve body. HAROLD I. GROSS, Primary Examiner. 

1. A CUSPIDOR SYSTEM FOR USE WITH OTHER DENTAL APPARATUS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, AN ENCLOSURE, A CUSPIDOR UNIT HAVING A RETRACTED POSITION ON SAID ENCLOSURE AND BEING MOVABLE THEREFROM TO AN OPERATING POSITION, A VACUUM CONDUIT AND A WATER CONDUIT CONNECTED TO SAID CUSPIDOR UNIT, AN ELECTRICALLY ENERGIZABLE VACUUM PUMP CONNECTED TO SAID VACUUM CONDUIT TO AFFORD A VACUUM TO SAID CUSPIDOR UNIT, A FIRST FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED VALVE INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID PUMP AND SAID CUSPIDOR UNIT TO CONTROL THE APPLICATION OF VACUUM TO SAID CUSPIDOR UNIT, A FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED SWITCH ASSOCIATED WITH SAID PUMP TO EFFECT ENERGIZATION THEREOF IN RESPONSE TO PREDETERMINED PRESSURE, A SOURCE OF WATER UNDER PRESSURE CONNECTED TO SAID WATER CONDUIT AND COMPRISING A SECOND FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED VALVE TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF WATER TO SAID UNIT IN RESPONSE TO PREDETERMINED PRESSURE, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE POSITION OF SAID CAPACITOR UNIT TO SIMULTANEOUSLY PERMIT FLUID FLOW TO BOTH OF SAID VALVES AND TO SAID SWITCH WHEN, BUT ONLY WHEN, SAID CUSPIDOR UNIT IS IN ITS OPERATING POSITION. 